Regional Stories

Cervical cancer can be prevented by vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) and screening and treatment of precancerous lesions.  
Fanny Romero, from Las Crucitas (Honduras) recounts her experience after having a test result positive for HPV. In her case, the insistence of the healthcare personnel to reach her and convince her to...
HEALTH FOR ALL, 1978. World leaders  made the historic commitment to achieve "Health for all" by signing the Declaration of Alma-Ata. The Declaration inspires the transformation of Health Systems based on Primary Health Care.
Paquita Medina, Ecuador Durán, Ecuador, September 2017 (PAHO/WHO) - Paquita Medina sells tortillas to make a living – but not just any tortillas. The ones Paquita makes are prepared without fat, meaning a healthier choice is available for the people in Paquita´s community. Paquita is one of more than 35 street vendors who have stopped…
Anet Naranjo, Cuba "A grain that I plant in each person today, will grow to be something wonderful tomorrow". Anet Naranjo is 19 years old and lives in Cerro, Havana, Cuba. She is a health promoter at the National Center for the Prevention of STIs and HIV/AIDS and belongs to the group of young volunteers for the Trolley for Life (Carrito por…
Nancy Vides, El Salvador One part education, one part guidance on healthy lifestyles, another part self-care for preventing disease; a bit of follow-up on medication, and some community organization; this is Nancy Vides´s recipe for health promotion in her community of Mejicanos in San Salvador, El Salvador. "These are all factors that help…
Expedito Cañaveral, Colombia Every day, without fail, Expedito Cañaveral treks half an hour on foot, climbing stairs and navigating winding dirt mountain paths to arrive at the house of his neighbor, Alba Gaviria, in the La Honda neighborhood outside of Medellin, Colombia. He never misses a visit because he knows it could be a matter of life…